Matrix grinding and marking machine



uMarCh 1, 1938. Y J, E'. SHEAFFER 2,110,030

MATRIX GRINDING AND MARKING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZZ 4 f,

IIN

eeifem-t l Lumi ATTORNEYS March 1, 1938'.

J. E. SHEAFFER 2,110,030

MATRIX GRINDING AND MARKING MACHINE Filed April 14, 193'? ,Mya

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l0 27 @D @E sQ ATTORNEYS March l, 1938.

J. E. SHEAFFER MATRIX GRINDING AND MARKING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1937 f 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTO R NEYS March l, 1938. 1 E SHEAFFER l2,110,030

MATRIX GRINDING AND MARKING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1957 4 sheets-sheet 4 l I 'i n l ,t

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4.9 ff f1 3f 22 f2 h V l z3 f4 i f1 1d 17 '1X 9 5f l I Il m -f' HI' lll IH 2f? ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 1, 1938 iTED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATRD( GRINDING AND MARKING MACHINE.

7 Claims.

This invention relates to machines especially adapted for reconditioning matrices and marking the latter for identification so that they may be readily distinguished from other matrices which have not been reconditioned.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above stated character for reconditioning matrices by grinding the outside walls of said matrices to remove therefrom crevices which ill with metal when molten metal is shot into the matrices and produce hairlines rendering reading matter with a fuzzy appearance.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View illustrating a machine for reconditioning and marking matrices and constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the same.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view partly broken away to show the ejector and stamping mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the grinding mechanism having the head of the machine removed.

Figure 5 is a sectional `view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line E-- of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'F-'l of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the grinding element and a part of the track with the matrix presser therein.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I indicates a base on which is mounted a casing 2 including removable sections indicated by the character 3 to give access to the interior of the casing. The upper end of the casing is closed by a removable head 4 and secured in the casing is a bracket 5 cooperating with the base I.in supporting a vertically arranged post S on which is journaled a hub 1, a portion of which is externally screw threaded and aportion is shaped to provide a ratchet gear 8. A worm gear 9 is secured on the hub I and also located on the latter is a cam supporting plate I0 engaging one side of the worm gear. A spacing collar II is threaded on the hub I into engagement with the other side of the worm gear. Supported by the plate I0 and journaled on the hub is a cam I2 of a selected shape. A spring pressed dog I3 is pivoted on the cam and normally engages with the ratchet gear to establish a drive between the hub 'I and the cam. A release mechanism I4 is journaled on the head 4 and may be positioned to engage with the dog I3 to disengage the latterfrom the ratchet gear when desiring to disrupt the drive between the hub I and the cam. The release mechanism I4 is capable of being rotated in two directions, one in engagement with the dog to hold the latter disengaged from the ratchet gear and the other into a position to free the dog to reestablish the drive between the hub 'I and the cam. The release mechanism I4 when positioned to disengage the dog I3 from the ratchet gear 8 moves said dog into engagement with a stop I5 on the cam.

The release mechanism I4 has spaced notches I4 to be engaged by a spring pressed dog I5 for releasably holding the release mechanism in either of its positions.

Supported by the base and detachably secured to the latter is an electric motor I6, the shaft of which is geared to a shaft I'I, the latter being suitably mounted in the casing 2 for rotation. A worm I8 is secured on the shaft I'I and meshes with the worm gear 9. 'Ihe shaft of the motor I6 also has secured thereto a circular grinding element I9. The electrical feed conductors for the electric motor I6 are indicated by the character 20 and may be connected in any well known manner to an electrical output and include or have connected therein a control switch 2| operable from the exterior of the casing.

The head 4 is provided with a chamber 22 in which operates the grinding element I9, an ejector mechanism and a stamping mechanism. The ejector mechanism and stamping mechanism will be hereinafter described in detail. The head 4 has a slot communicating with the chamber 22 in which is mounted a housing 23 including a magazine or hopper 24 and a track or guide 25. Matrices are stacked in the magazine 24 and are ejected therefrom one at a time onto the track which guides said matrices into engagement with the grinding element I9 and past said grinding element into a chute 2B forming a part of the housing 23. 'Ihe chute 2B includes inclined end of the guide or track 25 and the other end of .ment with the grinding element i9.

23 is of sectional formation with the sectional.

said guide or track 21 terminates above a receiving tray or box. A spring actuated presser 29 operates in the housing 23 and cooperates with the track 25 in slidably supporting the matrices and to urge one at a time into engagement with the grinding element I9. A portion of the track 25 under thepresser 2 9 is cutaway-so that a face ofla matrix willbe brought `into;[engage- The presser loosely connected.

An ejector 30 is slidably supported intheih'oiis ing 23 for the purpose of ejecting the lowerrnos matrix of the stack of matriceslocatedin.the,

magazine 24 into the guide or track"2`5'. YThe ejector has a finger piece 3lf operating in'a'slot- 32 formed in the housing 23 and also secured. to.

the ejector is a post 33 carrying a rollerz3`4` which rides? on the camy l2. A lever 351ispivoted on the head 4 and one kend has connected thereto aY coil spring 36 and the other" end' has pivoted theretol a link' 3l and the latter is pivotally connec'ted on the ejector: The spring 36A actsy 1z0-drive the ejector when permitted.` by the cam.V The cam actsk to retract the ejector againstY thev action of the'spring 36, that is; thehigh face of the cam retracts the ejectorand' asthe roller 34 ofA the post 33 passesv oi of the high face o the carri the spring 36 drives the ejector to fc'ircethel'owermost matrix'intothetrack orguid'e 252. "It is to be `understood that when 'the ejector isrnoved intov a retracted position it moves'fromrunder the lowerrnost matrix in the magazine to become engaged withvone endof said lower'mo'st matrices so that the ylatter lwillbe"shoved'linto the ftrackv or guide- 25 when the'cam releases the ejector. It takes one complete revolution of` the cam`to retract the yejectoruan'd to releasel the latter vfor shoving the lowerrnostfmatrix in the magazine into the track or guide 25. `The matrix when moved into the track or guide25 by then ejector clearsmitself from the remaining matrices *so that the .next matrix comes to `rest upon the ejector and as the latterA moves into a retracted position said last-named matrix then .becomes engaged at one end .with theA ejectorr The ejector Ion, its next operation. forces thek latter-namedjgmatrx into the. track or. guide` 25' causinglethe first ejected matrix to yprogress ya'longthe' track 'or' guide. ,This operation continues as long as'the machine .isin yoperation and the magazine con-g tains matrices.' v.As the matrices advance along the track. or guide 25one at atimecomes incontact. with thelgrinding element t9 to vhave the outsidewalls thereof` dressed lto remove imperfections. As the matrices, areldressed they pass into vthe chute 26 and thence intothe tray 28 and arranged inthe latter infastackedfformaj tionand eachdisposed vertically. ,-Thisjs accomplished by a mechanism whiclrwl be herein-A after more fully described in detailrfl'hemagazine 24 is of.a size to accommodate thematrfices of `a font andalso three or more dudsfshapedY similar to amatrix; The purpose ofthe duds is to bring `about the complete feeding oi.L all-- of thev matricesthrough rthe machine into the `tra-:V28- and as' Ithe lastmatrix' Ireaches the tray' 28' the duds'a'r then within'the machine" or ther track 25 thereof' and' willhbe forced therefrom by the nextrun or' lc/iatchv of matriceshactedfonfby the machine. #Ijlieopration ofv the ejector with theu electric motor yHi running can *be stoppedand started through the manipulation of the control mechanism I4.

The magazine 24' has a slidable gate 38' which may be adjusted relative to the track 25 and cooperates therewith in permitting only one matrix to be ejected by the ejector from the magazine onto the track at atime. The gate 38 being adjustable vertically is for the purpose of varying thesize of .the space between itself and the track to. accommodate matrices of different thicknesses. y The gate is adjusted vertically in either 3 direction by a hand operating means 39 and the upper end of the gate is provided with a shoulder 40 cooperating with a ange 4l on the magazine `tofform a gage. The use of the gage is for the Kpurpose of bringing about the adjustment of the gate to form a space between itself and the track ofirasize inacoordance with the thickness of a particular. or selected matrix. By positioning a'selectedmatrix on the flange 4l and bringing thelshoulder 44 in engagement therewith will bringiaboutan. adjustment of the gate relative to the track to form a space only large enough to permit theV selected` matrix t0 .pass from the magazine into the track by the ejector and one at a time. V

'A marke'r42 is slidably supported by the guide or Vtrack 25 directly under the magazine and is connected toV a slidablel head 43 carried by the head' 4?.'1`A plate 44 is: connected to the head 43 and'one end thereof is pivoted to the head. 4, as shown( at 45. The plate 44 has a slot 46 through which extends a pin 41 carried by the head'4 for limiting the pivotal movement oi the plate. A coil spring 48 is connected to the plate 44 and tothe head 4 Vand acts to retract the marker 42 out of the path of a matrix in the guide or track 25. An arm'49 is secured on the plate 44v and is engaged by a cam 52' secured on the cam` I2v and is Valso engaged by a pivotally mounted lever 56 one end of which has connected thereto acoili spring 5| and the other end is provided with an adjustable'pin 52 engageable withthe head 4 and' acts to limit the movement of the lever 50 under the action of the spring 5l. The spring 5l acts to drive the plate 44' in a direction to force the marker 42S to travel in a direction for' marking the lowermost matrix in the magazine 24. As the arm 49 rides oi of the cam 52', thelever 5U is swung on its pivot with considerable force by the spring 5|. The swinging movement of the lever is checked by the pin 52 engaging the head 4. Ihe lever 50 beingv in engagement withthe arm 49 when the latter disengages the cam 52 swings the plate `4,4 on its pvot 45 with considerableforce carrying therewith the head l43 and the marker 42. The plate 44V mayl continuerto travel under its momentum after the checking of the swinging movement of the` leverj. The marker 42 engages with the matrixduring the time thatthe plate 44 is swingingnunder its momentum so that the marker will receive a hammer-like blow which is sufficient to bring about marking of the matrix. A stop 54 is secured' on the plate 44 and may be engaged by av control'mechanism 55 carried by the head when itis desired to hold the marker 42 in a retracted or inoperative position.

. AIt is to be understood that the control mechanism 55 isroperable from the exterior of the head so'thatthe marking mechanism can be rendered operative and inoperative when desired. The purpose of marking thematricesis so that they matrices which have not been" reconditioned.'

The box or tray is slidably supported, as shown at 56', and is adapted to receive the matrices as they are reconditioned, they being stacked therein and each disposed vertically. Located just above the tray 28 are spring fingers 5l adapted to engage the matrices as they enter the tray. A follower 58 operates in the tray with a sliding movement and is connected with a slidably mounted plunger 59 on which is journaled a roller 6D. The roller 60 rides the cam I2 for the purpose of reciprocating the follower 58. Each time a matrix is received in the tray the follower 58 is reciprocated for the purpose of advancing the tray endwise permitting the matrices to stack in the tray one behind the other with the follower and fingers l cooperating in maintaining the matrices in stacked position. Each time the cam I2 completes one revolution a matrix is deposited in the tray and consequently the follower 58 is reciprocated once on each revolution of the cam I2 to bring about an advancement of the tray in an endwise direction to provide a space for the reception of the following matrix. As the tray 28 is advanced on the stacking of matrices therein some of the matrices stacked within the tray will become disengaged from the fingers 51 however they will maintain their vertical positions by the upright walls of the tray and the matrices stacking therebehind and still in engagement with the fingers 5l. The tray 28 can be easily removed from its support after completing a runor reconditioning of a group of matrices so that the matrices reconditioned can be easily emptied or removed from the tray. The plunger 59 is spring pressed to maintain the roller 60 thereof in contact with the periphery of the cam I2. The follower 58 includes the slidably supported head 6I to which is secured a plunger 62 of the spring pressed type and secured to the plunger 59 is an arm 63 having contact with the plunger 62 so that when the plunger 59 is moved by the cam to advance the follower 58 a drive is established by the arm 63 from the plunger 59 to the plunger 62. One end of the tray is fully open so that said end may ride past the head 6I of the follower when the tray is removed or replaced in position on the machine.

The housing 23 has formed therein an air passage 63, one end of which is connected to a valve 64 located exteriorly of the head and the other end is connected to a nozzle 65. The valve 64 may be connected to an air supply (not shown) by a pipe 66. The nozzle 65 is for the purpose of directing air under pressure across the face of the grinding element to remove from the grinding element grindings. As the grindings are blown from the grinding element they pass through a port 61 in the head 4 and into a collecting bag 68, The air is turned on by opening the valve 64 and may be cut off at any time desired by closing the valve.

Linotype machines and other line casting machines employ matrices of different thicknesses, however, the matrices of the same thickness are segregated and kept in fonts and after they have been in use for a period of time the outer walls become damaged or have crevices formed therein and these crevices become filled with metal when the matrices are shot with molten metal and which creates hairlines. Heretofore, matrices becoming so damaged or worn have been discarded and in order that matrices damaged in the manner described may be reconditioned and rendered fit for further use my machine as shown in this application and heretofore described in detail is employed. To recondition matrices of a certain size one of the matrices is placed between the shoulder 40' of the gate 38 and the flange 4I and the shoulder brought into engagement with the matrix, thereby properly adjusting the gate so that matrices of this size or thickness will -be fed one at a time from the magazine into the track 25 by the ejector mechanism. After the setting of the gate the matrices are stacked in superimposed relation in the magazine 24. The motor I6 is then started, the control mechanism III first being positioned to render the ejector mechanism inoperative. After the motor has obtained its full momentum the control I4 is actuated to connect the cam I2 to the drive between the latter and the motor. The cam I2 being in operation rst operates the marking mechanism to mark the lowermost matrix in the tray and at the same time the cam retracts the ejector. After the marking of the matrix the cam releases the ejector which acts to shove the lowermost matrix just marked into the track or guide 25. This same operation continues consequently advancing the matrices along the track and as each matrix arrives at a certain place on the track a face thereof comes in contact with the grinding element so that one of the outer walls is ground to remove crevices therefrom. The matrices being advanced in a step by step movement will, after a certain amount of grinding, move onto the inclined guide 2l and pass therefrom into the tray 28. The matrices being stacked on end in the tray 28 as they are received therein and as each matrix enters the tray the latter is advanced endwise to provide a space for the following matrix. When first assembling the matrices in the magazine 24 a plurality of duds are added to the stack so that said duds in passing through the machine will exhaust from the machine into the tray all of the matrices which have been stacked inthe rack. After the passing and reconditioning of one side wall of all of the matrices they are removed from the tray 28 and turned over and repositioned in the magazine 24. At this time the marking mechanism is rendered inoperative by manipulating the control 55 so that said matrices will be again passed through the machine in a step by step movement by the ejector receiving necessary additional grinding on both walls to remove crevices and defects therefrom so that the matrices when again received in the tray will have been rst marked for identification and then reconditioned, that is, both outer walls rereconditioned by having crevices removed therefrom rendering said matrices in proper condition for further successful use.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for reconditioning matrices comprising a supporting structure, a track carried by said structure and including a magazine for receiving matrices to be fed one at a time onto said track, an ejector mechanism for ejecting matrices one at a time from said magazine onto said track and to advance said matrices in a step by step movement along the track, a power means carried by the supporting structure, a marking mechanism carried by said supporting structure for marking the matrices one at a time carried by said magazine and prior to being advanced from the magazine onto the track by said ejector mechanism, and a drive means driven by said power means for operating the ejector mechanism and the marking mechanism, a grinding mechanism operated by said power means to act onsaid matrices as advanced into a certain posi'- tion onto 'the track by the ejector mechanism.

2. rA machine for reconditioning matrices comprising a supporting structure, a track carried by said structure and including a magazine for receiving matrices toabe fed 'one at a time onto said track,; Van ejector mechanism for ejecting matrices one at a time from lsaid magazine onto said'track and to advance said matrices in a step by step movement along the track, a power means carried by the supporting structure, a marking mechanism carried by said supporting structure for marking the matrices one at a time carried 'by said magazine and prior to being advanced from the magazine onto the track by said -ejector mechanism, a drive means driven by said power means for operating the ejector mechanism and the marking mechanism, a grinding mechanism operated by said power means to act on said matrices as advance-d into a certain position on the track by the ejector mechanism, and means receiving the matrices after being marked and acted upon by the grinding mechanism and to arrange them in stacked formation.

3. A machine for reconditioning matrices comprising a supporting structure, a track carried by said structure and including a magazine for receiving matrices to be fed one at a time. onto said track, an ejector mechanism for ejecting matrices one at a time from said magazine onto said track and to advance lsaid matrices in a step by step movement along the track, a power means carried by the supporting structure, a

marking mechanism carried by said supporting structure for marking the matrices one at a time carried by said magazine and prior to being advanced from the magazine onto the track by said ejector mechanism, a drive means driven by said power means for operating the ejector mechanism and the marking mechanism, a grinding mechanism operated by said power means to act on said matrices as advanced into a certain position on the track by the ejector mechanism, means receiving the matrices after being marked and Vacted upon by the grinding mechanism and to arrange them in stacked formation, and pneumatic means for removing grindings from the grinding mechanism.

4. A machine for reconditioning matrices comprising a supporting structure, power means carried by said structure, a grinding mechanism driven by said power source, a track carried by said structure for guiding matrices into and out of engagement withthe grinding mechanism, a magazine for delivering onto said track matrices, an ejector for ejecting matrices one at a time from said magazine onto said track and to advance the matrices vin a step by step movement along said track, spring means acting to operate the ejector in one direction, a cam connected to said ejector and working to move the ejector in an opposite direction and for releasing the latter to be actuated by said spring means, a post carried by said supporting structure and forming a journal for said cam, a worm gear journaled on said post, a worm meshing with thefworm gear, a shaft journaled on the supporting structure and having the worm securedthereto, means connecting the shaft to said power means, a'manually 'controlledmeans for connecting and disconnecting the cam to said worm gear, a tray slidably mounted on the supporting structure to receive the matrices as advanced from the track, and a follower operated bysad cam to advance-the tray endwise and stack the matrices therein.

r 5. A machine for reconditioning matrices comprisinga supporting structure, a power means carried by said structure, a grinding mechanism driven by said power means, a track carried by said supporting structure to guide matrices into and out of engagement with the grinding mechanism, a magazine carried yby the supporting structure for delivering matrices onto said track, an ejector mechanismI operated by said power means for ejecting matrices one at a time from the magazine onto said track and to advance the matrices in a step by step movement along said track, a marker carried by said track for marking a matrix after it has been advanced from the magazine onto said track, and means driven by said power source for operating .the marker.

6. A machine for reconditioning matrices cornprising a supporting structure, power means carried by said'structure, a grinding mechanism driven by said power means, a track carried by said supporting structure to guide matrices into and out of engagement with the grinding mechanism, a magazine carried by the supporting structure. for delivering matrices onto said track, an ejector mechanism operated by .said power means for ejecting matrices one at a time from the magazine onto said track and to advance the matrices in a step by step movement along said track, a marker carried by said track for marking a matrix after it has been advanced from the magazine onto said track, a drive means intermittently operated and driven by said power means to operate the marker with hammer-like blows.

7. A machine for reconditioning matrices comprising ay supporting structure, a power means carried by said structure, a grinding mechanism driven by said power means for acting on a matriX supported by a certain portion of said track, a magazine for supporting the matrices and delivering them onto said track, an ejector for ejecting matrices one at a time from the magazine onto said track and to advance the matrices in a step by step movement over said track, a cam for operating the ejector, spring means acting on the ejector to maintain the latter in engagement with the cam, a drive means between the power means and the cam, a slidable marker for marking the matrices as they move onto the track from said magazine and including a slidably supported head, a plate connected to said head and pivotally mounted on said supporting structure, a spring acting on said plate, an arm secured to said plate, a lever pivotally mounted on the supportingstructure and engaging-the arm and including a stop means for limiting its pivotal movement in one direction, a spring acting on said lever, and a cam carried by the rst cam to engage and disengage with said arm for imparting movement to said plate which in turn actuates the marker with a hammer-like blow.

JOHN E. SHEAFFER. 

